My Sister...

mssue
mssue Member Posts: 242
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello Everyone, I am a BC survivor but I'm trying to gather information for my sister who doesn't have a computer.About a week and a half ago she started experiencing swelling in her abdomen-she went to her regular Doctor yesterday(Monday)they did a ct scan and they called her back to be there today at 9am.-they said it was fluid in her abdomen and that there were 2 masses, a 6cm(not sure if cm or mm)on one ovary and a 4 cm on the other.They set her up to see a OBGYN this Thursday.Right now my mind is kind of boggled I can only imagine what's going through hers. She had cervical cancer back in 96-I didn't think it was that long ago - anyway I know we are all at higher risk-our Mother died from cancer-it had started in her ovaries but spread everywhere before it was found.I don't mean to make this long but I told her I would see what I could find out for her and call her back tonight-I don't want to call her back with everything I've read cause everything seems to point to Ovarian Cancer-because of the build up of fluid -she is miserable-she had just got over a cold and lost weight,she's very small anyway even with all the fluid she only weighs 106 lbs.-I am in NC she is in MS-has anyone else had this happen only to find out it was a benign tumor?I'm praying for her -Please if You have any advice please email me or post it -I want to be positive but everything I'm seeing is the opposite.Any help would be greatfully appreciated-Thanks a Bunch!
God Bless You All!
Sue

Comments

  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #2
    I feel your fears and anxiety, and that of your sister as well. Don't try to take in too much information right now. Since she has an appointment for Thursday, try to just wait it out. I know that is easier said than done. Sounds like you and your family have had more than your share of heartache and tragedy. But there are many variables even IF this is cancer - caught early, treatable, etc. There is much on her side.

    In the meantime, you're all in my prayers and thoughts. Please let us know how everyone goes, especially this next appointment. You are a loving sister to check into this for her. That in itself will be a help to her to know that you are there. Please write back soon.

    Monika
  • zrazzaque
    zrazzaque Member Posts: 2
    #3
    Sue all I can say that wait till all the test results are with u.. i came to this forum looking for info myself and found lots of encouragement. My girlfriend's mom has stage 3 OC and is undergoing chemo. I also met an OC survivor here and talking to her filled me with hope and confidence.. i hope u find the same and best of luck to ur sis.. i will pray for her
  • mssue
    mssue Member Posts: 242
    #4
    Thanks for Your words of wisdom-The Doctor she went to Today(thursday)is setting an appointment for a complete histerrectomy(sp)within a week.Then they will biopsy the tumors-this really bothers me because everything I've read says that by the time symptoms appear it is already in the advanced stages.Lord I hope not.All I can do right now is pray.I'll let Ya'll know what they say-and please keep her in Your prayers.Thank You!
    Appreciate You Much
    Sue
  • paula57
    paula57 Member Posts: 93
    #5
    You and your sister will be in my prayers. Good Luck! Keep us informed. Paula
  • mdunnk
    mdunnk Member Posts: 13
    #6
    Sue,
    I live in Meridian, MS and was diagnosed with Stage 3 Grade 3 OVCA on July 1, when I had surgery. I was referred to a GYN oncologist in Jackson, MS and I feel like he saved my life. His name is Dr. Richard Boronow and relocated to Jackson from MD Anderson. I have been told that it is very important for OVCA patients to be treated by a GYN/Oncologist. He performed my surgery which was extensive and I am still in chemo and just started radiation. I will keep your sister in my prayers and hope that the tumors are benign. If I can do anything to help, please let me know.
    Cyber Hugs,
    Karen
  • mssue
    mssue Member Posts: 242
    #7
    Hi!
    Well every thing has been moving along pretty fast-they called her right back again and had her go to the Gyn/Onocologist in Mobile Al. Today at 1:30 (Fri) - they didn't keep her today she goes back Monday at 8am to have the fluid removed,then 3 rounds of chemo-Jan. 13th surgery-then 3 or 4 more rounds of chemo.What kind-i don't know yet-the tumors were 5.7cm on one and 6.4 on the other ovary.They want to shrink them first then go in and remove all the reproductive organs.Then they will biopsy the tumors to stage and grade the cancer----Is this normal procedure?I mean if they know it's cancer but don't know the stage or grade but are waiting until Jan. to find out will there be any ill effects caused from waiting?
    I really appreciate everyones input and support-I'm so glad we have a place to go.
    Karen I'm glad they took good care of You,when my sister had cervical cancer she too was treated in Jackson through a trial where they did radiation seed implants and chemo.Mobile is alot closer for her though because she lives in Gulfport,Ms.I looked her Doctor up on the internet and was pleased to find that by the Ocshner standards her Doctor was voted one of the top three Doctors in his field in the southern state region-now for the true test for me is to see how he takes care of my Sisters overall health.
    I will keep Ya'll posted-God Bless You All!
    (((hugs)))
    Sue
  • mssue
    mssue Member Posts: 242
    #8
    Hi Everyone,
    I'm back again,I just got off the phone with my sister,she had the fluid drawn off yesterday,today she went to her first visit with her Onocologist that will be adminerstering(sp) the chemo -it will be taxol and carboplatin I think ,my spelling is off really bad today,anyway the Onocologist said he would feel safe staging her cancer at a 3-won't know for sure until the biopsy which will be done after the surgery in January.They want to do 3 more rounds of treatments after surgery along with once a month treatment of Taxol.My question is how many stages of ovarian cancer are there?Is it 1-5 or 1-4?
    I would in all honesty appreciate Your outlook and experiences on this matter.My Sister-in Law says too much information will make me crazy-That's not so I need, deep in my soul, to know exactly what we are dealing with, we live 900 miles apart and if it's time for me to go home-then I need to start preparing-I do not mean to sound grim nor do I intend to act as though nothing is wrong-I believe most of You will agree that knowledge is power and can also guide us in doing the best we can for those we Love.Thank You for the band-aid on my heart.
    God Bless You!
    Sue
  • mdunnk
    mdunnk Member Posts: 13
    #9
    mssue said:

    Hi Everyone,
    I'm back again,I just got off the phone with my sister,she had the fluid drawn off yesterday,today she went to her first visit with her Onocologist that will be adminerstering(sp) the chemo -it will be taxol and carboplatin I think ,my spelling is off really bad today,anyway the Onocologist said he would feel safe staging her cancer at a 3-won't know for sure until the biopsy which will be done after the surgery in January.They want to do 3 more rounds of treatments after surgery along with once a month treatment of Taxol.My question is how many stages of ovarian cancer are there?Is it 1-5 or 1-4?
    I would in all honesty appreciate Your outlook and experiences on this matter.My Sister-in Law says too much information will make me crazy-That's not so I need, deep in my soul, to know exactly what we are dealing with, we live 900 miles apart and if it's time for me to go home-then I need to start preparing-I do not mean to sound grim nor do I intend to act as though nothing is wrong-I believe most of You will agree that knowledge is power and can also guide us in doing the best we can for those we Love.Thank You for the band-aid on my heart.
    God Bless You!
    Sue

    mssue,
    Cancer is staged 1-4 with Stage 4 being the worse. I have had 6 rounds of taxol/carbo and it was not too bad. I am getting ready to start my monthly taxol maintenance for 12 months. I will keep your sister in my prayers.
    Cyber Hugs,
    Karen
  • mssue
    mssue Member Posts: 242
    #10
    mdunnk said:

    mssue,
    Cancer is staged 1-4 with Stage 4 being the worse. I have had 6 rounds of taxol/carbo and it was not too bad. I am getting ready to start my monthly taxol maintenance for 12 months. I will keep your sister in my prayers.
    Cyber Hugs,
    Karen

    Hi karen,
    If You don't mind me asking did You have the fluid build up?They just drained off the fluid last Monday(she looked 9 months pregnant)I'm told-the fluid is coming back she said right now she looked 4 or 5 months pregnant.None of us expected it to come back so fast-her first chemo is tommorrow.Will the chemo make it go away or will it need to be drained again?Is it normal for the fluid to be coming back in such a short time?I'm glad You are going through everything alright-You too will be in my prayers-Thank You!
    God Bless You,
    Sue
  • mdunnk
    mdunnk Member Posts: 13
    #11
    mssue said:

    Hi karen,
    If You don't mind me asking did You have the fluid build up?They just drained off the fluid last Monday(she looked 9 months pregnant)I'm told-the fluid is coming back she said right now she looked 4 or 5 months pregnant.None of us expected it to come back so fast-her first chemo is tommorrow.Will the chemo make it go away or will it need to be drained again?Is it normal for the fluid to be coming back in such a short time?I'm glad You are going through everything alright-You too will be in my prayers-Thank You!
    God Bless You,
    Sue

    mssue,
    I did have some fluid and looked 9 months pregnant too. I have some fluid now and that is to be expected during the treatments. How is she doing now?

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